Maynard Um of UBS Investment Research estimated in a report yesterday that if Apple were to enter the HDTV market it would raise their market capitalization by $100 billion.

Um and UBS do not give a timeline for Apple to enter the HDTV market, but there view is "Apple is unlikely to enter the television set market without a core level of differentiation. We believe that differentiation will be its iTunes ecosystem and, in particular, its content."

The problem with this differentiation is getting customers to pay for a television, and adopt the rather unfamiliar Apple TV, and iTunes intergration when it comes to television. People are creatures of habit, and unless the Apple TV's present some game changing innovations breaking into the market could prove difficult.

Another hurdle for Apple is HDTV's typically sell with a 10-15% profit margin. This pales in comparison to Apple's usual product profit margin of 30-40%. While they do have the necessary cashflow to support a project like this, it won't be an overnight success like the iPhone, iPad, or iPod. The access point for consumers would likely be too expensive as well preventing rapid growth. As expensive as iPhones and iPads are, they still are available in more affordable configurations and pale in comparison to the price of a high-end LED or plasma television.

Um further proposes is that Apple's Genius Bar could evolve into a Genius Squad much like Best Buy's Geek squad. They would be used to provide in home services like setting up Apple's wireless networking solutions, and if Apple's cloud based services take off, Apple based home automation services could be included as well. Plus setting up HDTVs if the rumors prove true.

Um's vision is grounded in reality, and serves up some lofty ideas for the future of Apple products and services, but it appears to be educated speculation of a distant Apple dominated future where every part of our home is run through a Cupertino device.

I can't wait for the day when I order my Apple servant-bot to get something out of my Apple branded fridge, via my iPhone.

No way would I buy this from Apple.
How many iTV sold? If people would not buy enough of iTV device right now when it is cheap, I do not see how suddenly it gets popular just because it gets integrated into TV and sells it for more than other HDTV.

They would still have bigger profit margins because Apple stuff just costs more and they market they stuff very well so peeps just want to buy they stuff. I would consider buying one but only when my current set fails.

I wish I had a miniature elephant that fit in the palm of my hand. I would pick him up and he'd lift up his trunk and stand on his back legs and say PRRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPHHHHHHHH and I would say yes little elephant i love you too.

I like being able to watch what I want, when I want, and use any device I want with my TV.
I don't see the appeal of an Apple-made TV that will just be a Samsung or LG display wrapped in an over priced shiny case but have less features than every other TV.

I like being able to watch what I want, when I want, and use any device I want with my TV.
I don't see the appeal of an Apple-made TV that will just be a Samsung or LG display wrapped in an over priced shiny case but have less features than every other TV.

Valid point

I wish I had a miniature elephant that fit in the palm of my hand. I would pick him up and he'd lift up his trunk and stand on his back legs and say PRRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPHHHHHHHH and I would say yes little elephant i love you too.

I like being able to watch what I want, when I want, and use any device I want with my TV.
I don't see the appeal of an Apple-made TV that will just be a Samsung or LG display wrapped in an over priced shiny case but have less features than every other TV.

Worte the words out of my mouth, hhaha, but its true and even if an Apple brand HDTV copmes out with same or more features of todays common HDTV's it will surelly cost way over $1,500 and thats the top a lot of consumers accept when buying a tv, if they manage to provied an awesome looking/working tv with a whole of features and great image quality that is affordable I would consider buying one. Until then I'll keep my vizio =D